"Think you can escape? Too late!" Qian Renxue shouted. Her voice was weak, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty. She violently raised her hand and condensed a slender but incredibly concentrated beam of golden light. This beam contained pure Angelic Source Power and radiated a formidable purifying force as it shot toward the black shadow's back.
The black shadow reacted with astonishing speed. Sensing the attack from behind, it instantly contorted its body to dodge, but the golden beam was far too fast. It caught up in a flash, striking the creature viciously in the back.
Sizzle—
The golden beam collided with the black mist, letting out a shrill, grating screech. The black mist was continuously purified, causing the creature to shriek in agony. Its body began to rapidly shrink, the black mist enveloping it grew increasingly faint, and its eerie green eyes dimmed.
Seeing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Zhao Feng's eyes. He burned the absolute final dregs of his soul power and leaped into the air. With a faint red light glowing on his battle axe, he brought it crashing down toward the black shadow's head.
Crack!
The battle axe struck the black shadow's head. Even though the creature lacked a solid physical form, the combined efforts of the axe's soul power and Qian Renxue's Angelic power resulted in a fatal blow. With one final, piercing shriek, the black shadow completely collapsed. It dissolved into countless black fragments that were thoroughly purified by Qian Renxue's golden radiance, vanishing into the air without a single trace left behind.
With the black shadow destroyed, Qian Renxue could no longer hold on. Her body gave out, and she collapsed heavily to the ground. The golden light around her instantly dimmed, and the wings on her back dissipated completely. Only a faint speck of golden light remained, slowly sinking into her body. Her face grew even paler, and her breathing was shallow. The agony radiating from the depths of her soul nearly robbed her of consciousness, yet her gaze remained locked onto Lin Mo nearby. Only one thought echoed in her mind: Lin Mo, you have to hold on. I'm coming to save you right now.
Dragging his heavy, battered body, Zhao Feng walked step by step to Qian Renxue's side. He crouched down and looked at her frail form, his eyes filled with immense respect and heartache. "Lady Xue Yan, how are you holding up?" he asked, his voice hoarse, every word accompanied by intense pain. "You've already done more than enough. The rift is almost sealed, and that Void remnant has been completely wiped out. Please, rest for a moment. Don't push yourself any further."
Qian Renxue slowly shook her head. With great difficulty, she raised her hand and pointed toward Lin Mo. Her voice was so faint it was almost inaudible: "Zhao Feng... save him... you have to save him..."
Zhao Feng followed the direction of her finger and looked at the fallen Lin Mo, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He knew that the Void power inside Lin Mo was far too overbearing. Furthermore, Qian Renxue had exhausted almost all her Angelic power, even tapping into her Angelic Source Power. Saving Lin Mo now would be incredibly difficult. But looking into Qian Renxue's pleading, resolute eyes, he still gave a firm nod. "Lady Xue Yan, rest assured. I will find a way to save Lin Mo. Even if it costs me my life, I absolutely will not let him die."
With that, Zhao Feng stood up and shouted to the surviving team members, "Listen up, everyone! Check Lin Mo's injuries immediately and find a way to suppress the Void power! No matter the cost, we must keep him alive!"
The surviving members sprang into action immediately. Dragging their wounded bodies, they gathered around Lin Mo. Some checked his injuries, some frantically searched their persons for healing pills, while others scanned the surrounding environment, hoping to find even a single clue on how to suppress the Void power. However, most of them were ordinary Soul Masters, and the pills they carried were standard healing remedies. They were utterly useless against the overbearing Void energy. All they could do was watch helplessly as the Void power continued to eat away at Lin Mo, his breathing growing fainter by the second.
"What do we do, Captain Zhao? The Void power inside Lin Mo is just too aggressive. Our pills aren't working at all. If this keeps up, he won't last much longer!" one member said anxiously, his eyes brimming with helplessness and agony. He had fought alongside Lin Mo for a long time; they had long since become brothers in arms. Watching Lin Mo on the verge of death while being completely powerless to help left his heart drowning in self-blame.
Zhao Feng's brows were knitted tightly together, his heart equally fraught with anxiety. He knew that to suppress the Void power, they needed a potent source of sacred or purifying energy. But now, Qian Renxue was completely drained and could no longer provide her Angelic power. As ordinary Soul Masters, they simply possessed no means to suppress the Void. Was Lin Mo really going to die just like this?
Just then, an older member suddenly spoke up. "Captain Zhao, I remember that in the secret vault at headquarters, there is a 'Crystal of Purification' stored away. That crystal contains a formidable purifying force. It's said to be able to purify all evil and nefarious energies. Perhaps it could suppress the Void power inside Lin Mo!"
"Crystal of Purification?" A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhao Feng's eyes as he immediately recalled the legendary artifact. The Crystal of Purification was the ultimate treasure of their headquarters. Legend said it was an artifact left behind by an ancient Angel deity, containing an incredibly pure and potent purifying force. It was kept under strict lock and key, never to be lightly used unless they faced a crisis of the highest magnitude. Now, with Lin Mo hovering at death's door, this Crystal of Purification might very well be their only hope.
"Alright! Contact headquarters immediately and request them to dispatch the Crystal of Purification at once!" Zhao Feng ordered, his tone ironclad. "Furthermore, assign two members to escort Lady Xue Yan and Lin Mo to the temporary camp immediately. Provide what basic first aid you can to buy us some time while we wait for headquarters' backup!"
"Yes, sir!" The members moved instantly. Two of the less severely injured team members carefully hoisted Lin Mo up, while another supported the frail Qian Renxue, heading toward the temporary camp. Zhao Feng remained behind to coordinate the rest of the team in clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded, all while keeping a close watch on the Void rift to prevent any further surprises.
The temporary camp had been set up in a clearing not far from the battlefield. It was relatively secure, surrounded by a basic defensive perimeter. The team members gently laid Lin Mo down on a crude wooden cot. Ignoring her own severe weakness, Qian Renxue immediately walked to his bedside and tightly clasped his cold hand, her eyes brimming with worry and desperate hope. She could clearly sense that Lin Mo's life force was still draining away, and the Void energy within him continued to rage like a wild beast. If the Crystal of Purification didn't arrive in time, Lin Mo truly would vanish without a trace.
"Lin Mo, you have to hold on. The Crystal of Purification will be here soon. You're going to be alright..." Qian Renxue murmured the words over and over again. Her voice was gentle yet unwavering. She gripped his icy hand tightly, trying to warm it with her own body heat, trying desperately to reach him with her willpower.
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